Method and device for objective automated audiometry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for automation of objective hearing test based on the assessment of auditory evoked potential (AEP), for shortening of testing time, and for the minimization of inaccuracy and errors which may be resulted from the automation and time shortening. The method includes the steps for: as a preliminary test, presenting standard test stimulus to a subject; searching the wave V peak and SN1 0 peak; and as a main test, presenting test stimulus of each frequency, searching the minimal intensity and determining objective hearing threshold of each frequency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a method and device for automation of objective hearing test based on assessment of auditory evoked potential (AEP), for shortening testing time, and for minimization of inaccuracy and errors of hearing test that may be resulted from the automation and time shortening.BACKGROUND ART[0002]The auditory brainstem response (ABR) audiometry is the most widely used method for objective hearing test.[0003]For ABR audiometry, an electrode is placed on a subject's head and test stimulus is repetitively presented at least more than 1,500 times. After averaging the data, patient's audibility is determined by presence or absence of Wave V.[0004]Although a click is commonly used for ABR audiometry, this stimulus is inappropriate for estimate of hearing thresholds on specific frequencies, such as 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 8000 Hz. For this reason, tone-pip (or tone-burst) stimulus which has very short duration and can be p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In order to solve above-mentioned problems of the conventional method, the present invention provides a method for automation of tone-pip (or tone-burst) ABR audiometry, which can exclude both manual operation and user's subjective judgment. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining objective hearing threshold by computing the gap between wave V and SN10. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining excellent signal-to-noise ratio even after minimizing the number of averaging. Finally, the present invention provides a device for performing all above-mentioned objects.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, because user's determination of a subject's hearing threshold depends on visual discrimination of wave V peak in which amplitude decrease more and more when stimulus intensity gets closer to hearing threshold, it is difficult to avoid intervention of user's subjective judgment.

It is the most serious problem of the conventional ton-pip ABR audiometry that very long time is required for the hearing test.

It takes long time to set manually the test stimulus presented separately according to frequency and intensity.

Most of all, because the more stimulus intensity gets closer to hearing threshold, the more amplitude of wave V decreases, it takes long time for a user to determine the presence or absence of wave V peak.

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